57 Year Old Sentenced in Mailbox Destruction Case

Richard Lee Gray, 57, of Foresthill, was recently sentenced by United States District Judge Troy L. Nunley to one year in prison for destroying U.S. Post Office letter boxes, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and possessing over 15 unauthorized access devices with intent to commit fraud, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

Judge Nunley ordered Gray to pay $10,333 in restitution to the United States Postal Service.

This case was the product of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the United States Forest Service. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, between January 2013 and April 2013, Gray pried open more than 20 post office letter boxes in the Placer County towns of Colfax, Auburn, and Foresthill. On April 2, 2013, a federal search warrant was executed at Gray’s residence. In the house and in his car, officers found mail stolen from more than 108 victims. Gray also possessed burglary tools, pry bars, and ammunition.